50 Classic Movies You Should Do Yourself a Favor and Watch

Movies are magical. They transport you to other worlds full of memorable characters, sinister plots, and surprising mysteries just waiting to be told. Film allows you the wonderful opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes for a brief moment in time, and experience the world as they see it.

You see what they see, feel what they feel, and learn as they learn. The sympathetic process that goes in creating a film is equal parts math and magic, all coming together to through the collective vision of directors, producers, editors, sound mixers, actors, screenwriters, and even more to deliver a delightful (sometimes) escape from the mundanity of every day life.

Sadly, not all movies have the same impact as others. But those that do, stay with you. The classics builds tension, suspense, and anguish, only to deliver a satisfying catharsis that leaves you a better person overall for having learned some valuable lesson. Other films create beautiful, sweeping shots that you long to frame on a wall in your home. Others feature delightful music that string you along the plot, like a charming two-step. But again, the classics are a magical combination of all of the above, forming the finest experiences the medium has to offer. If you haven’t seen these movies, you are in for a treat. By no means is this list the limit, but it’s a great place to start.

Akira Kurosawa’s historical epic about a group of samurai who defend a village from a bandit attack. A masterpiece and among the finest films ever made.

Ridley Scott’s neo-noir masterpiece follows the story of a detective chasing a group of rogue androids around a cyberpunk Los Angeles.

Alfred Hitchcock’s revolutionary horror/thriller still manages to shock modern audiences with its excellent use of suspense, editing, and music.

Spike Lee’s comedy-drama showcases the rising racial tensions that culminate on the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn.